PR DENCE

Lord Bardolph.

•

IN SCHEMES.

When we mean to build,*

We first survey the plot, then draw the model;
And when we see the figure of the house,
Then must we rate the cost of the erection;

Which if we find outweighs ability,

What do we then, but draw anew the model
In fewer offices; or, at least, desist

To build at all? Much more in this great work,
(Which is, almost, to pluck a kingdom down
And set another up,) should we survey
The plot of situation, and the model;
Consent upon a sure foundation ;
Question surveyors: know our own estate,
How able such a work to undergo,
To weigh against his opposite; or else,
We fortify in paper, and in figures,
Using the names of men instead of men;
Like one that draws the model of a house
Beyond his pow'r to build it; who, half through,
Gives o'er, and leaves his part-created cost

A naked subject to the weeping clouds,

And waste for churlish winter's tyranny.

2nd part King Henry IV. Act i. Scene 3.

* Vide 14th chapter of St. Luke's Gospel, 28th and following verses. Shakspere gives frequent proofs of his having been well read in the Holy Scriptures.

The beacon of the wise, the tent that searches

To the bottom of the worst.

Troilus and Cressida. Act ii. Scene 2.

Cressida. Blind fear, that seeing reason leads, finds safer footing than blind reason stumbling without fear. To fear the worst, oft cures the worst.

S

ITS ORIGIN.

Malvolio.

COME are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

Twelfth Night. Act ii. Scene 5.

ITS EFFECTS.

Angelo.
Oh, Place! oh, Form!
How often dost thou with thy case, thy habit,
Wrench awe from fools, and tie the wiser souls
To thy false seeming.*

Measure for Measure. Act ii. Scene 4.

ITS DANGERS.

Duke. Oh, place and greatness; millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee! Volumes of report

Run with these false and most contrarious guests
Upon thy doings! thousand 'scapes of wit

Make thee the father of their idle dream,

And rack thee in their fancies.

That rounds the mortal temples of a king,
Keeps death his court; and there the antic sits,
Scoffing his state, and grinning at his pomp;
Allowing him a breath, a little scene,
To monarchize, be fear'd, and kill with looks;
Infusing him with self and vain conceit,-
As if this flesh, which walls about our life,
Were brass impregnable; and, humour'd thus,
Comes at the last, and with a little pin
Bores through his castle wall, and farewell king !
Cover your heads, and mock not flesh and blood
With solemn reverence; throw away respect,
Tradition, form, and ceremonious duty;
For you have but mistook me all this while !
I live with bread like you, feel want, taste grief,

Need friends; Subjected thus,

How can you say to me-I am a king?

King Richard II. Act iii, scene 2.

ITS CARES.

Prince Henry. I will sit and watch here by the king.

Why doth the crown lie there upon his pillow,
Being so troublesome a bedfellow ?
Oh, polished perturbation! golden care!
That keep'st the ports of slumber open wide
To many a watchful night!-sleep with it now!

Yet not so sound, and half so deeply sweet,
As he, whose brow, with homely biggin * bound,
Snores out the watch of night. Oh, majesty !
When thou dost pinch thy bearer, thou dost sit
Like a rich armour worn in heat of day,

That scalds with safety.

2nd part King Henry IV. Act iv. Scene 4.

K. Henry V. Upon the king! let us our lives, our souls,
Our debts, our careful wives, our children, and
Our sins, lay on the king ;-we must bear all.
Oh, hard condition! twin-born with greatness,
Subjected to the breath of every fool,

Whose sense can no more feel but his own wringing!
What infinite heart's ease must kings neglect,

That private men enjoy!

And what have kings, that privates have not too,
Save ceremony, save general ceremony ?
And what art thou, thou idol ceremony ?
What kind of god art thou, that suffer'st more
Of mortal griefs, than do thy worshippers ?
What are thy rents? what are thy comings in ?
Oh, ceremony, show me but thy worth !
What is the soul of adoration ?

Art thou aught else but place, degree, and form,
Creating awe and fear in other men ?
Wherein thou art less happy being fear'd

Than they in fearing.

What drink'st thou oft, instead of homage sweet,
But poison'd flattery? Oh, be sick, great greatness,
And bid thy ceremony give thee cure !

Think'st thou the fiery fever will go out
With titles blown from adulation?

Will it give place to flexure and low bending ?